As with the multitude of restaurants encircling the Boudhanath Stupa, the best thing about La Casita De Boudhanath is perhaps its rooftop, which offers unparallel view of the glorious world heritage site. But unlike the others, whose menu is plagued by the unexciting momo-chowmein variety, this fairly new establishment run by a Spanish couple offers a specialised menu. The photobook styled menu has a host of Mediterranean cuisine with Spanish being the restaurant’s speciality.
After the initial excitement of being so close to the stupa wore off and my friends had clicked enough pictures to run their batteries out, we settled on our drinks: two mojitos, one caipirinha, and one mocha frappuccino to start with.
PICS: HARIZ BAHARUDIN
Less than five minutes after our order, our smiling waitress had our drinks on the table. The mojito (Rs 260) was refreshing. With just the right amount of rum, lime, sugar, and mint, it was the perfect drink for the sunny day and one that was gulped down in under a minute. Our other cocktail, the caipirinha (Rs 240), however was a miss. Even after checking with the bar, we failed to taste any vodka in it. The chilled mocha frappuccino (Rs 190) though better than most served around town was low on caffeine. Unless you are very particular about your coffee, the drink is enjoyable.
Our only tapas order - a small plate of chicken croquetas (Rs 250) - looked gorgeous; fried golden brown and served with a dip of mayonnaise and fresh salad on a platter. But a bite later, we had different thoughts. The batter that encased the chicken was too thick for our liking and the meat itself cooked a bit bland. However, the dip and salad were delicious.
Amongst the day’s specials, we chose to indulge in desserts and didn’t regret our decision two desserts later. The blueberry cheesecake (Rs 300) was neither overwhelmingly sweet nor strong and the blend of berries and cheese was just right. For its price though, we felt that the slice was a tad tiny, but like they say all good things come in small packages.
The churros (Rs 295) that this reviewer in particular was most excited about, didn’t have the soft interior these famous Spanish doughnuts are known for, but worked because of the hot chocolate dipping sauce that they were served with. The generous cup full of decadent molten cocoa tasted so good that we were competing for spoonfuls long after the dough sticks were gone.
There’s still a lot that I want to try at this place, namely the salads, which seemed to be a favourite among regulars, judging by their dominating presence in every table. Until then I keep my judgement open on La Casita’s food. But go there for the friendly staff, quick service, cosy ambience, and the view best enjoyed from the terrace.
How to get there: Turn right as you enter Boudhanath, and walk towards Khumbu Hotel. Look for a red brick building, La Casita is located on the second floor.